Cheyenne Roundtree
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Gloria Steinem Janet Fries/Getty Images Following the death of pioneering feminist activist Gloria Steinem, tributes poured in from Hillary Clinton, Jill Biden, Meghan Markle, Lena Dunham, and many more who hailed the author as “a fearless trailblazer,” “one of the most important activists of all time,” and a voice that changed our country.”
Steinem’s death was announced Thursday morning. A representative said the 92-year-old had died peacefully the previous day in her New York home surrounded by loved ones.
“Gloria’s near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end,” a statement read. “Gloria’s greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard. Her words, actions, and example gave people permission to be their truest selves. Gloria lived true to her independent spirit, always with curiosity and a great sense of humor.”
An outpouring of tributes quickly followed. Cllinton, who saw Steinem support her 2016 presidential campaign, told CBS News that she was “heartsick” over the news. In a separate statement posted to Instagram, Clinton highlighted Steinem’s decades of work fighting for women’s rights, saying Steinem “became one of the architects of the entire structure of women’s equality,” she wrote.
“She wasn’t going to be an astronaut, but she made it possible for Sally Ride to be an astronaut,” Clinton continued. “She wasn’t going to play college sports, but she stood behind the women in Congress who passed Title IX. And she wasn’t on the Supreme Court when Roe v. Wade was decided, but her voice and her activism was behind that advancement for women’s rights.”
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Former First Lady Jill Biden noted that Steinem “understood that women’s equality begins with the freedom to make decisions about our own bodies, health, and futures. For decades, she fought to make that freedom real for generations of women and girls.”
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Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, posted personal photos of herself with Steinem, remarking that together the two had “called young voters to encourage them to have their voices heard … and brainstormed how to help this beautiful yet complicated world to become more equitable.” Markle also referenced their personal friendship, sharing that Steinem had spent Thanksgiving with their family and had counseled her “during hard times … with a cup of tea and an unrivaled cheekiness and wit.”
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Writer Lena Dunham also referenced Steinem’s generosity with her time and supporting the next generation of women and activists. “You weren’t just generous with your life force, your vision or your intellect: you were generous with your time, your laughter and even your jewelry (like the time I admired your silver vulva ring and you plucked it off your hand and placed it on mine,”) the Girls creator shared on Instagram.
“You worked so hard for us. You gave so much. And your memory will continue to do overtime to remind us what is possible when we are, as the bracelet you once gave me said, “linked not ranked,’” Duham added, posting a series of photos of the pair together over the years.
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Acclaimed author Roxane Gay called Steinem “one of a kind.” “She lived a staggering life and her passing is a staggering loss tempered only by the ferocity of her legacy,” Gay added.
